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Columbia River 2010 Fall Chinook Returns Look Good on Paper by Mark Yuasa Seattle Times, February 24, 2010

The Columbia River fall chinook preseason forecasts were released by state Fish and Wildlife, and the overall returns look to be fairly good.

The Lower River hatchery chinook forecast of 90,6000 is the best return since 2004, and slightly greater than the 10-year average. The 2009 actual return was 76,700 compared to forecast of 88,800.

The Lower River wild chinook forecast of 9,700 is slightly improved over last three years, but below 10-year average. The 2009 actual return was 7,500 compared to forecast of 8,500.

The Bonneville Pool hatchery chinook forecast of 169,000 is the best return since 2004, and much greater than the 10-year average. The 2009 return of jacks was a record high. The age-three chinook are 91-percent of total forecast. The 2009 actual return was 49,000 compared to forecast of 59,300.

The Upriver Bright chinook forecast of 310,800 is the best return since 2004. It is a strong return and greater than the 10-year average. The 2009 return of jacks was the highest in 23 years. The age-three chinook are 42-percent of total forecast. The 2009 actual return was 212,000 compared to forecast of 259,900.

The Bonneville Upriver Bright chinook forecast of 30,300 is slightly less than the 2009 actual return, and 69-percent of the 10-year average. The 2009 actual return was 39,000 compared to forecast of 50,000.

The Pool Upriver Bright chinook forecast of 42,300 is similar to the 10-year average. The 2009 actual return was 34,100 compared to forecast of 44,400.

The total forecast of 652,700 Columbia River fall chinook is greater than the 10-year average, and much greater than the 2009 actual return.